Can I Take Milk Thistle After Drinking Alcohol?
You can, but do not expect it to protect your liver or prevent a hangover. The NIH's NCCIH says studies of milk thistle for alcohol-related liver disease have been conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions, and NIH-funded trials of its main extract, silymarin, showed no benefit for hepatitis C or fatty liver disease. It is usually well tolerated but can cause bloating, nausea and gas, and it can interact with medicines, so ask your provider first.
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- Does milk thistle protect your liver from alcohol?
- Does milk thistle help a hangover?
- Is it safe to take with alcohol?
- Should you take milk thistle before or after you drink alcohol?
- Is it okay to mix milk thistle with alcohol, or drink while taking milk thistle supplements?
- Does taking milk thistle while you are drinking alcohol help?
- Is milk thistle safe in pregnancy?
Does milk thistle protect your liver from alcohol?
There is no good evidence that it does. According to the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):
- results of clinical trials of milk thistle for alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis B and C have been conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions
- two NCCIH-funded studies of silymarin (the main extract), in hepatitis C and in fatty liver disease, did not show benefit
Does milk thistle help a hangover?
The NCCIH page does not mention hangovers, and the NIAAA says no hangover remedy has been scientifically proven; only time cures a hangover.
Is it safe to take with alcohol?
Taken by mouth, milk thistle appears to be well tolerated; the most common side effects are digestive, such as bloating, nausea and gas (NCCIH). Allergic reactions can happen, especially in people allergic to plants like ragweed or daisies. Supplements have had quality problems, and milk thistle can interact with medicines, so talk with a health care provider first if you take any medicine.
If you drink often and worry about your liver, the reliable step is drinking less. See how much you drink with the standard drink calculator.
Should you take milk thistle before or after you drink alcohol?
We found no official guidance on timing. The NIH’s NCCIH page on milk thistle says nothing about taking it before, during or after drinking alcohol, and it gives no dose. Since the evidence for liver benefit is inconclusive, no timing can be called protective.
Is it okay to mix milk thistle with alcohol, or drink while taking milk thistle supplements?
The NCCIH page does not say you must avoid alcohol with milk thistle, and it does not say milk thistle makes drinking safer. It says milk thistle appears to be well tolerated, with digestive side effects most common. It also advises talking with your health care provider before using herbal products if you take any medicine, because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
Does taking milk thistle while you are drinking alcohol help?
The NCCIH reports that trials in alcohol-related liver disease were conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions. So we found no official evidence that milk thistle for alcohol offsets the effects of continued drinking. If you are worried about your liver, ask a doctor.
Is milk thistle safe in pregnancy?
The NCCIH says little is known about whether it is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
To see how much you drink, use the standard drink calculator.
People also ask
Can I take milk thistle after drinking alcohol?
It is usually well tolerated, but it is not proven to protect the liver from alcohol or prevent a hangover (NCCIH, NIAAA).
Does milk thistle cure a hangover?
No. The NIAAA says no hangover remedy is proven; only time helps.
Should I take milk thistle before or after I drink alcohol?
We found no official guidance on timing. NCCIH says trial results for alcohol-related liver disease were conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions.
Is it OK to mix milk thistle with alcohol?
NCCIH does not say you must avoid alcohol, but it does not say milk thistle protects you either. Ask your health care provider, especially if you take medicines.
Does taking milk thistle while drinking alcohol help?
We found no official evidence that it does. NCCIH says trials in alcohol-related liver disease were conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions.
Can you drink alcohol while taking milk thistle supplements?
NCCIH does not say you must avoid alcohol while taking milk thistle. It advises talking with your health care provider if you take any medicine.
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